.png){kind=logo}
The Pantoropical spotted dolphin
Stenella attenuata
​General description
The pantropical spotted dolphin is easily recognizable by its slender, thin body covered with spots. It also has a long cylindrical rostrum which ends in a white tip. Its dorsal fin, located in the middle of the body, has a falcate (sickle) shape, and is thin and moderately high. The pectoral and caudal fins also share this characteristic shape. This dolphin sports a steel gray cape that covers the back, from the rostrum to the rear of the body, while its sides and belly are lighter, sometimes with pinkish shades at the throat. A thin steel-gray strip connects the melon to the eyes. Over time, it develops a pattern of dark spots on its sides and back, while its belly becomes adorned with white spots, giving it a distinctive appearance that becomes more pronounced with age.
​
Habitat
This cosmopolitan dolphin is found in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate waters. It prefers offshore areas, but can also frequent coastal waters in certain regions.
DietThe pantropical spotted dolphin feeds primarily on small, schooling fish, such as anchovies and sardines. Opportunistic, it sometimes alternates with squid or crustaceans that it can collect from the bottom of the oceans. This feeding behavior varies depending on the availability of prey in its habitat. During the day, these dolphins generally stay in shallow waters, between 90 and 300 meters deep, and migrate to deeper waters at night to hunt.
​
Behavior
An extremely sociable species, the pantropical spotted dolphin often forms large groups of up to several hundred individuals. It frequently associates with other species of dolphin, such as the spinner dolphin, Fraser's dolphin or bottlenose dolphin. Associations with pelagic fish, such as tuna and swordfish, have also been observed. One of the most likely explanations is that this association allows dolphins to benefit from the foraging efficiency of tuna. Tuna, by hunting schooling fish themselves, can in fact create opportunities for dolphins by facilitating their access to abundant prey. Very active, they frequently perform acrobatic jumps and surface races.
Family : Delphinidae​​
Height (m)​​
Weight (Kg)
Lifespan (years)
Sexual Maturity
(years)
Gestation
(month)
1.60 - 2.60
90 - 110
40 - 45
12 - 15
1.60 - 2.60
90 - 110
40 - 45
9 - 11
11 - 11.5
Global distribution of the Pantropical spotted dolphin, adapted from Plön et al. (2016). A conservation assessment of Stenella spp. The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Observations in the Lesser Antilles (CCS)
Main threats
Entanglement in commercial fishing gear is a major hazard. These dolphins often associate with schools of tuna, leading to their accidental capture during tuna fishing using nets. In addition, direct hunting for their flesh remains a significant threat.
Least concern
IUCN Status :
References
- Sylvestre, Jean-Pierre. 2014. Cetaceans of the world Systematics, ethology, biology, ecology, status. Practical guide. Éditions Quae.
- NOAA Fisheries
- International Whaling Commision